Fuel cell supply including information storage device and control system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device, a battery charger or a fuel refilling device. The fuel cell system includes an information storage device associated with the fuel supply, pump and/or refitting device. The information storage device can be any electronic storage device including, but not limited to, an EEPROM or a PLA. The information storage device can include encrypted information. The information storage device can include software code for confirming the identification of the cartridge before operation of the electronic device and/or refilling device. The information storage device can include instructions for a hot swap operation to shut down property when the fuel supply is ejected while the electronic device is in operation. The present invention is also directed to system architecture for a fuel cell system that utilizes information storage devices. The system architecture may have flow regulators, which include a regulating valve.

1. An information storage device for a fuel cell system, wherein the information storage device comprises a hot swap procedure, wherein the hot swap procedure comprises an instruction for a controller accessing the information storage device to switch to an alternate power source for an electronic device that the fuel cell system powers. 
     
     
       2. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the information storage device is located in the fuel cell system. 
     
     
       3. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the information storage device is located in an electronic device that the fuel cell system powers. 
     
     
       4. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the information storage device is located on a fuel supply supplying fuel to the fuel cell system. 
     
     
       5. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the alternate power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
       6. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the alternate power source comprises a reserve fuel chamber containing fuel for the fuel cell system. 
     
     
       7. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller writes information to the information storage device while using the alternate power source. 
     
     
       8. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hot swap procedure comprises semaphore “lock” and semaphore.“unlock” verbs. 
     
     
       9. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller accessing the information storage device executes the hot swap procedure when a first flag is set. 
     
     
       10. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the first flag is a semaphore.“lock”. 
     
     
       11. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the controller backs up data during the hot swap procedure. 
     
     
       12. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein a second flag is set when the controller completes the hot swap procedure. 
     
     
       13. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the second flag is a semaphore.“unlock”. 
     
     
       14. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein a first flag is set when a fuel cartridge is removed from the fuel cell system when the fuel cell system is active. 
     
     
       15. The information storage device of  claim 9 , wherein a first flag is set when an ejection button is actuated to remove a fuel cartridge from the fuel cell system when the fuel cell system is active. 
     
     
       16. The information storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller accesses the information storage device when a trigger event occurs. 
     
     
       17. The information storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the trigger event comprises a removal of a fuel supply containing fuel for the fuel cell system when the electronic device is operational. 
     
     
       18. An information storage device for a fuel cell system, wherein the information storage device comprises a hot swap procedure, wherein the hot swap procedure comprises instructions for a controller accessing the information storage device to switch to an alternate power source for an electronic device that the fuel cell system powers and to instruct a pump for pumping fuel to the fuel cell system to shut down in accordance to a predetermined sequence when a trigger event occurs. 
     
     
       19. An information storage device for a fuel cell system, wherein the information storage device comprises a hot swap procedure, wherein the hot swap procedure comprises an instruction for a controller accessing the information storage device to instruct a pump to execute a shutdown cycle. 
     
     
       20. The information storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the shutdown cycle includes continuing pumping for a time period. 
     
     
       21. The information storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the instruction comprises running the pump using an alternate power source to pump fuel away from an interface between the fuel cell system and a fuel supply containing fuel for the fuel cell system. 
     
     
       22. An information storage device for a fuel cell system, wherein the information storage device comprises a hot swap procedure, wherein the information storage device further comprises an instruction to pump fuel away from an outlet of a fuel cartridge, when a device powered by the fuel cell system is turned off.